Camera Gear Review News
Just posted: Tamron 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens Review.
Tamron brings the widest member of their trio of essential f/2.8 zoom lenses into the G2 class.
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Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results, along with specs and measurements are now available on the Tamron 16-30mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Lens page.
The ultra-wide-angle zoom lens category is crowded, with many comparisons available. I'll get you started.
Compared to the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 16-25mm F2.8 G Lens
Compared to the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM Lens
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Check out the just-posted Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML Lens review for an in-depth look at the first Zeiss interchangeable lens to hit the streets in 6 years.
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As I worked through the Workflow Go's seemingly slow performance relative to it's specifications, the iPhone 16 showed itself as a possible bottleneck. It was. Check out the Lexar Professional Workflow Go Docking Station's impressive USB 3 performance.
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Do you ever wish you could leave the laptop at home but still back up your images? The Lexar Professional Workflow Go Docking Station is the answer to that quest.
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The in depth Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art Lens Review was just posted.
Canon and Sony APS-C-format shooters need to read this one.
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Just posted: Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM Lens Review.
This is one of the highest-quality and most-useful lenses ever released.
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The Canon EOS R50 V is here, and it is time to set up this camera.
- Record serial number, and add camera to the insurance policy
- Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger, and plug it in.
- Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software to gain support for the latest camera model(s).
- Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), insert a charged battery, and power the camera on.
- The language, date, time, and time zone setup display will show at the first startup. Use the rear control dial and set button to update this information.
- The camera will prompt to connect your phone running the Canon Connect App. Follow the prompts as desired.
- Set the camera to still mode
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Set RAW to "RAW", and set JPEG to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality and are especially valuable for post-processing work)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Color mode: Picture Style: change to Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides an in-camera histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting, though I often adjust white balance modestly during post-processing)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 5: Lens Aberration Correction: All options "OFF" (I test lenses, but you may appreciate enabling some options, including Chromatic Aberration correction)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Low (noise reduction is destructive to images details, so I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Release shutter without card: OFF (only in a retail store would you want to press the shutter release without saving the image file)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Image review: Review duration: Off (I shoot next image priority most of the time, and the image review hinders composing the next shot)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Enable 1, 2, 3, and 4; edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Basic shooting info, Histogram, and Electronic level
- Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 8: Shooting info. disp.: Electronic level size: Small (blocks less of the image on the display)
- AF Menu, Tab 2: Subject to detect: Select Auto, People, Animals, Vehicles, or No priority as makes sense for your current shooting scenario
- AF Menu, Tab 3: Preview AF: Disable (I don't want the lens autofocusing continuously)
- AF Menu, Tab 5: MF peaking settings: On
- Playback Menu, Tab 4: Playback information display: 1, 2, and 3 only; change view 2 histogram to RGB
- Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in-camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer, but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Feature guide: Disable (novices may appreciate this feature)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable (probably no one wants to hear your camera's beep)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 3: Power saving: Screen dimmer: Disable (I find the dimmer annoying — the LCD is as useful off as dimmed)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Copyright information: enter as desired
- Customized controls, Tab 1: Touch Shutter: Disable (I want the camera to focus on what I touch but let me decide when to capture the image)
- Custom Functions Menu, Tab 2: Retract lens on power off: OFF (prevents a carefully-selected focus distance from resetting when the camera auto powers off)
- My Menu: Add My Menu 1; Register the following options: Expo.comp./AEB, Display simulation, Subject to detect, Format card, Date/Time/Zone (great for monitoring the time); reorder menu items as desired
- My Menu: Add My Menu 2; Register the following options: Anti-flicker shoot., Shutter mode, reorder menu items as desired
- Switch to video mode, and adjust desired video-related settings (mine vary significantly from shoot to shoot)
I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.
If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established.
More Information
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Just posted: Canon EOS R50 V Review.
The R50 V delivers impressive performance at a low price point.
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Image quality test results from a second lens tested with the Canon EOS R5 Mark II are now available on the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.
I recently purchased this refurbished lens at Canon USA, and with a convenient opportunity afforded, I tested it. The second lens performs even better than the first one reviewed.
Here is the second lens vs. first lens comparison.
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As I shared at the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML Lens announcement, I welcome Zeiss introducing new products into the MILC space, especially under the high-end Otus brand, and I looked forward to reviewing these products.
With the RF mount Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML Lens in the studio, the highest priority was to produce the Image quality test results, which are now included on the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 Otus ML Lens page.
In general, the sharper the lens, the easier it is to establish perfect focus. When all visible colors are not focused on the same plane, establishing optimal focus is extremely difficult.
Do you see the color fringing in this lens's f/1.4 sample? It cost me hours of work. Rarely does a second round of testing improve the results, but I had to be certain that the results were accurate. They were. The second round of testing produced the same results.
Focus can be adjusted to remove the color blur from this lens's results, but doing so diminishes the sharpness of the resolution lines. Here is that example:
Color blur is not unusual, and we have seen similar results before from Zeiss:
Compared to the Zeiss Milvus 50mm f/1.4 Lens
However, modern lenses usually keep the plane of sharpest focus color-free. Here is a three-dimensional example from the Otus ML:
Stopping down even slightly significantly reduces the color blur.
Let's look at some comparisons.
Compared to the Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus Lens
Compared to the Canon RF 50mm F1.4 L VCM Lens
Compared to the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Lens
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I have a fresh-from-the-factory Canon PowerShot V1 in my hands, and it is time to set it up. I use the following steps to prepare a factory-initialized V1 for use.
- Record serial number, and add camera to the insurance policy
- Open the box, find the battery, insert it into camera, plug the camera into a USB-C cable that supports (Power Delivery), and connect the cable to a power adapter.
- Consider downloading and installing the latest Canon imaging software to gain support for the latest camera model(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP), EOS Utility, and Lens Registration Utility are the options I install.
- Insert a memory card (we'll format the card in a later step), and power the camera on.
- The date, time, and time zone setup display will show at the first startup. Use the rear control dial and set button to update this information.
- If your PowerShot V1 arrives with the wrong language selected, navigate to the second tools tab and select the second menu option on the list.
- The camera will prompt to connect your phone running the Canon Connect App. Follow the prompts as desired.
- Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv, or M (some modes may provide only a subset of available menu options) and press the menu button.
- Shooting Menu, Tab 1: Image quality: Use the lens ring to set RAW to "RAW", and use the rear direction keys or dial to set JPEG to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality and are especially valuable for post-processing work)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Sharpness = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram that best shows the available dynamic range. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting stills, though I often adjust white balance as needed during post-processing)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Low (noise reduction is destructive to images details, so I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post-processing)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 6: Image review: Review duration: 4 sec. (the Viewfinder review option is disabled by default, speeding the shooting process)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Screen info. settings: Edit screen 2 to show only: Basic shooting info and Electronic level; edit screen 3 to show only: Basic shooting info, Histogram, and Electronic level
- Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Grid display: 3x3 (sometimes the 3x3 grid is helpful for alignment checking while not complicating the view)
- Shooting Menu, Tab 7: Shooting info. disp.: Histogram disp: RGB, Small (show the brightness levels of each channel separately and do not let the graph to take up much space in the display as it can affect the perceived composition)
- AF Menu, Tab 2: Subject to detect: Select Auto, People, Animals, Vehicles, or No priority as makes sense for your current shooting scenario
- AF Menu, Tab 2: Preview AF: Disable
- AF Menu, Tab 3: MF peaking settings: On
- Playback Menu, Tab 4: Highlight alert: Enable
- Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Format card (always format a memory card in-camera before using it — all data on the card will be lost)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer, but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Feature guide: Disable (novices may appreciate this feature)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 2: Beep: Disable
- Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Screen dimmer: Disable (I found the dimmer annoying — the LCD is as useful off as dimmed)
- Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Screen Off: Disable
- Set-up Menu, Tab 5: Power saving: Auto power off: Disable (the focal length is reset when the camera powers off, highly annoying when carefully composing a scene (or test chart))
- Set-up Menu, Tab 6: Custom shooting mode (C1-C3): Auto uodate set.: Enable (saves changes made to C modes
- Custom Functions Menu, Tab 2: Default Erase option: [Erase] selected
- My Menu: Add My Menu 1; Register your most-used menu options, such as Format card
I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, especially for video, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.
If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established.
More Information
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Just posted: Canon PowerShot V1 Review.
Meet Canon's new flagship PowerShot camera. It wants to go everywhere with you.
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Image quality test results are now available on the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM Lens page.
Does this lens rival a bag full of fast primes? The image quality test results help answer that question. Create comparisons.
Compared to the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II Lens
Compared to the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens
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Just posted: Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens Review
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Just posted:
SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head Review
SCG StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod Review
The T8 G2 and StediFast HD are an outstanding value, performing far above their cost.
The SCG T8 G2 Fluid Head is coming soon to B&H and available for order now at SCG.
Order the SCG StediFast HD Carbon Fiber Tripod from B&H.
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Just posted: Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens Review.
Outstanding lens. I hope to add sample pictures later.
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Image quality test results from a second lens are now available on the Canon RF 20mm F1.4 L VCM Lens page.
The first lens's performance was superb, but was it an outlier? With two lenses in the studio, an increased sample size was afforded.
The second lens vs. first lens comparison answers that question.
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Image quality and vignetting test results are now available on the Canon RF-S 14-30mm F4-6.3 IS STM PZ Lens page.
This inexpensive lens performs well for its cost. Here is a comparison to a high-end reference lens, RF 85mm F1.2 L USM, at an optimal aperture.
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Noise, image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results are now available on the Canon PowerShot V1 page.
This little camera performs well.
Resolution compared to the R50 with a high-end lens.
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